from NoveList PlusGrahame-Smith, S. (2010). Abraham Lincoln: vampire hunter. New York: Grand Central.

ISBN: 9780446563086

Rating: 3Q3P

Readers' Annotation: Abraham Lincoln's secret life as a vampire hunter is revealed.

Summary:  The story begins during present time, with an unsuccessful writer given the gift of a lifetime--the secret, personal journals of Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter.  Early in Lincoln's life, he realizes the bad things that have occured can be traced back to a vampire.  He vows to kill all the vampires in the country.  On his quest Lincoln encounters a vampire, Henry, that has a similar goal--to kill vampires.  Like humans, there are good vampires as well as bad.  Henry shares the weaknesses of vampires with Lincoln to train him to overcome the vampires' excessive strength.  Lincoln remains true to his vow until he has a family, but he is drawn back into vampire hunting when the tensions between the North and South heat up.

Evaluation:  Seth Grahame-Smith weaves together the real life of Abraham Lincoln with Graham-Smith's imagined one flawlessly.  On more then one occassion, I had to remind myself I was reading a work of fiction.  The author's writing style reinforced the feeling of a non-fiction book.  I appreciated how much fact Graham-Smith intertwined within the fiction.  Readers who weren't interested in the life Abraham Lincoln prior to reading this book may be inspired to read more on the real man.  I think this book will draw historical fiction fans that want something a bit different as well as those drawn to the supernatural elements.

Genre:

• Fantasy - Supernatural
• Horror - Supernatural
• Historical Fiction - Alternative History

If you like Abaham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter try...

• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
• The Secret History of Elizabeth Tudor, Vampire Slayer by Lucy Weston
• The Stake by Richard Laymon